English businesswoman who ran a multimillion-pound family holiday business, before completing a management buyout. Best known for her appearances on the BBC Two business programme Dragons' Den... Read more
Deborah Meaden is a well-known entrepreneur, business leader and TV Personality having been an Investor on BBC’s Dragons Den for over 20 series. An engaging and compelling speaker she is highly popular and speaks regularly at conferences across the UK and elsewhere in the world. Her ability to connect with the audience and fulfil the brief comes from her wide commercial and television experience that she draws from with great effect.
Deborah spent most of her working career in Leisure and Retail, spanning a variety of activities including Pubs, Clubs, Restaurants, Amusements and Accommodation. Having led a management buyout of her family’s holiday park business, she later gained backing from a private equity group in a deal worth £33 million, with Deborah retaining a 23% stake. She finally exited the business when it was sold to Parkdean Holidays for £83m and is now a full time Investor with over 50 businesses.
Her television career has been as varied as her business career. In addition to Dragons Den, Deborah has made appearances on Strictly come Dancing, The (Celebrity) Great British bake Off and numerous news and magazine shows. A strong advocate of sustainable and ethical business practice, she hosted the popular podcast; “The Big Green Money show” alongside Felicity Hannah, exploring the role Business plays in reducing our impact on the Planet.
Deborah is a trustee of Tusk Trust, fellow of The World Wildlife Fund and patron for Compassion In World Farming International. As well as that, Deborah is an Ambassador for; Lendwithcare, The Marine Conservation Society and The RSPB amongst others. Deborah is also proud to have received Honorary doctorates from Exeter University, Staffordshire and Keele for her contributions to Business and the Environment